Occupation Police Enforce Strict Curfew In IoK

Friday, August 29, 2008 at 1:11 pm

OCCUPIED SRINAGAR:Thousands of occupation troops and paramilitaries were on Friday enforcing a strict curfew in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and intensifying a crackdown against Kashmiri leaders, officials said.

Security forces were out in large numbers on the streets of occupied Srinagar and elsewhere in IoK, which has been the scene of weeks of violent protests, ordering locals not to leave their homes.

“A strict curfew is in force. Please stay indoors and don’t come out for congregational prayers,” police announced through vehicle-mounted public address systems while patrolling the streets of occupied Srinagar.

Leaders in IoK had called upon people to hold “peaceful protests” on Friday to denounce Indian rule, as well as the arrest of senior leaders and their supporters.

An indefinite curfew was imposed in IoK on Sunday, with authorities hoping to prevent further anti-India protests.

Eight people were martyred during the week for defying the crackdown, and several prominent leaders — including the two most senior figures of APHC Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq — have been detained.

Police officials say over 100 of their supporters have also been arrested.